Wiltshire landowners have come together to support Endurance riding
for the NDS Alfred's Tower Rider this Bank Holiday weekend (24--25
August 2002).

Over
430 riders from all over the country will have the unique opportunity
to hoof it over the grounds of the glorious Wiltshire countryside
starting and finishing at the National Trust's Stourhead House,
passing King Alfred's Tower, and across land owned by the Duke of
Somerset Estate and Longleat Estate, as well as Mere Down, Charnage
Down and the Golden Valley.

The
NDS Alfred's Tower Ride has attracted the largest team entry ever
from The Riding Club Championships. Teams of 3-4 riders from Surrey,
Cornwall, Herefordshire and Worcestershire will compete for the
NDS Equine Team Endurance Challenge, a 34-km (20m) ride.

Twenty
two riders will compete in the NDS FEI CEI *** 146km Class, including
Sarah Tyson riding Valtnor Park Armistice (Sarah has been chosen
to ride for Great Britain on Diamond Dynasty at the World Endurance
Games in Spain (16 September 2002), and four international riders
from the South of England, who have previously represented Great
Britain, Nicky Sherry riding Bella Joya, Jane James on Rowengay
Garnet, and Lisa Franks on Monad and Susan Hawes on Dahli (owned
by Anne Newton from Exmoor).

The
NDS 105km Endurance Ride has attracted over 35 entries with Sarah
Kelleway bringing 3 horses, Georgina Hirst on Vlacq Khamul, Margaret
Wade on Castlebar Treaty and Margaret McKiddie will be a hot contender
following her Summer Solstice win on Bonnie Anne at the National
Championship in June.

The
setting for this ride is superb, the grounds at Stourhead are glorious,
and is an excellent opportunity to see some of the best endurance
horses and riders in the country.